Amid an unimaginably difficult time, Kellie Gardner and AFL star Jeremy Finlayson’s wedding was perfect.
“It was everything and more we’d ever dreamed of. I couldn’t have asked for a better day,” Kellie, 27, tells Woman’s Day.
The couple were joined by their nearest and dearest for an intimate gathering at Tennyson Beach in South Australia, where they surprised each other with personalised vows.
“There wasn’t a dry eye in the room,” she says.
“It was so special to be able to read them in front of our friends and family… everyone was stoked to see us get married after everything we’ve dealt with in the past 18 months.”
Kellie looked stunning in her Made with Love Bridal gown.
(Image: Bambi Photo)The wedding, which was originally planned for next October, was brought forward when Kellie was recently given the heartbreaking news that
her bowel cancer had returned. She was diagnosed with stage-four cancer in her bowel and lungs after falling ill over Christmas.
Their nuptials took just over three weeks to plan after Kellie’s oncologist advised how she might lose her hair through the treatment.
“I had to focus myself on chemotherapy and getting better. We couldn’t think about October as an option any more,” she says.
As their daughter Sophia, 19 months, walked down the aisle with a little bouquet of daisies, Kellie followed arm in arm with her dad and maid of honour. Port Adelaide ruck Jeremy said he was overcome with emotion.
“Watching Kell walk down the aisle with her dad was just breathtaking, one of the most memorable, precious moments of my life,” says Jeremy, also 27. “I couldn’t have asked for a better day. One of the best I’ll ever live.
“I made a vow to Sophia to take care of her while her mummy can’t and [I’ll] continue to do so for the rest of my life.”
Little Sophia stole hearts on the wedding day.
(Image: Bambi Photo)Kellie was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2021 at the age of 25, after experiencing “tummy problems” for years.
Following a year of treatment and surgeries, her doctors were confident the cancer would not return.
Kellie was then shocked to be told the cancer had metastasised and spread to her lungs at the end of last year and was now terminal.
Heartbreakingly, the couple had began thinking about having another baby.
Kellie admits the diagnosis hasn’t rocked her as much as it did the first time, but still finds it difficult.
“The last few months has been about getting through what we can, when we can, day by day,” she says.
“I fill every little bit of energy I have in my days into Sophia and no one else gets anything.
“The unknown is the scariest part. You can’t plan anything.”
“Watching Kell walk down the aisle was breathtaking,” Jeremy said.
(Image: Bambi Photo)As we chat, Kellie is at home having her third round of chemotherapy treatment.
Her mum Jane has been on hand to help the young family while Kellie is feeling fatigued and nauseous.
“My doctors are very confident I have a long life to live. I don’t have a timeline. But as soon as it’s stage four, they have to be realistic,” says Kellie.
The couple’s “first dance” was in their hotel room in PJs with their bridal party.
(Image: Bambi Photo)With Jeremy currently in pre-season training, the couple are looking forward to hosting a big post-wedding party in October as the AFL season comes to a close.
“Footy is my workplace but also my outlet from everything going on with Kell. I love being around the club and the boys,” says Jeremy.
“Kellie’s inspiring a whole lot of people right now, but I am the proudest of them all… she is genuinely a superhero without a cape.”
The couple wed at Tennyson Beach in South Australia earlier this month.
(Image: Bambi Photo)Pictures supplied by Bambi Photo.
